Kanagawa Prefecture

Kanagawa is the the prefecture
bordered on the north by Tokyo Metropolis.
In the east part of the prefecture, there are two big cities, Kawasaki
(1.4 million people) and Yokohama (3.6 million people).
And there are many cities in the prefecture, so the whole prefecture is
formed the south part of Tokyo metropolitan area.

Kawasaki is located between Tokyo and Yokohama, the area is along Tama
River forming the border between Tokyo and Kanagawa.
It is an industial city, then there are many factories in the city.

Yokohama is the prefectural capital, and has second large population in
Japan after Tokyo.
When the Edo government abandoned an isolation policy since 1639,
Yokohama port was opened to trade with foreign countries in 1859.
And the enclave for foreign residents had been set up in the city, so
the towns around the port had have the mood in European style.
Now the port area is the main touring spot.

The southeast part of the prefecture extends to the south as Miura
peninsula.
On the east coast, there is Yokosuka city. It has have the military
port, which Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force and US Navy use now.

The south coast of the prefecture faces Sagami Bay, and is generally
called "Shonan area".
Here is sunny and warm, so this area has become a seaside resort since
the end of the 19th century.
Additionally in this area, there is the ancient capital Kamakura city,
where a govenment had placed from 1192 to 1333.

The west part of the prefecture is mountainous.
Hakone in this area is the very popular sightseeing and resort area.

Kawasaki
city

Other
spots in Kanagawa Prefecture

Scenic or Nature / Park or Garden / Resort / City, Town or Village / Quarter or Street / Temple or Shrine / Museum or Laboratory / Market or Commercial facility / Factory / Other Building or Construction / Historic place / Remains / World Heritage Site

Main
events in Kanagawa Prefecture

Kamakura Festival (The 2nd and
3rd Sunday in April)

It is the greatest festival in an ancient city Kamakura,
and has been held every day since 1959. Many events are held around
Tsurugaoka Hachiman shrine.
Kamakura was founded by Yoritomo Minamoto in the late 12th century, and
this festival is related to him.
On the 2nd Sunday in April, the parades by the people dressed in period
costume are held.
And in the evening, "Shizuka's Dance" is held in the shrine. Shizuka is
a concubine of Yoshitsune Minamoto, a tragic hero and Yoritomo's
brother, and this dance is the reenactment that she danced here before
Yoritomo in 1186.
On the 3rd Sunday, "Yabusame" is held. A samurai on a galloping horse
shoots arrows at some small targets.

Daimyo's
procession in Hakone (November 3rd)

Daimyo is the feudal lord in Edo Period (1603-1868). They
had been placed as the head of domains throughout Japan.
They had been forced to work for govenment in Edo (Current Tokyo) every
other year, so they had gone and returned between their domains and Edo
every year.
At that time, major processions had been held. Because they had taken
many their retainers and servants.
This event is the reenactment of the procession, and about 170 people
dressed in period costume parade about 6 km in Hakone town.

Local
foods and products in Kanagawa Prefecture

Shumai
in Yokohama

Shumai is a traditional Chinese dumpling, and is made by
wrapping ground pork and some vegitables with a thin sheet of dough and
steaming it.
It was introduced to Japan in the 15th century, but a ramen restaurant
in Asakusa first served to the public in 1910.
And Kiyouken which is the top maker in Yokohama began to sell the boxed
shumai to take out in 1928, since then, the shumai has become the
speciality of Yokohama.

Kamaboko in Odawara

Kamaboko is a popular Japanese processed seafood, and is
made by placing pureed various white fish on a wooden board and
steaming it.
In Odawara, the tasty kamaboko has been produced since the 18th century
by using rich fish in Sagami Bay and delicious water from Hakone.
And there are some brand-name makers of kamaboko in Odawara.
These are Suzuhiro, Maruu, Kagosei and so on.

Hanoke Yosegi-zaiku

Yosegi-zaiku is a traditional woodwork, and is a geometric
mosaic of small wood pieces.
There has been various kinds of trees in Hakone area, so a craftman in
Hakone first created the product using these woods in the early 19th
century.
As the products, there are jewel box, small drewers, wooden tray,
Japanese inlay and so on.
And the "secret box" is famous. You cannot open it unless you follow
the correct procedure.